it's coming

JPFS1 · 14-04-2010, 09:43 AM

significant day for Ford AUS today...

Wretched · 14-04-2010, 09:46 AM

interesting....any details? any time frame for when this will(if) made public?

JPFS1 · 14-04-2010, 10:01 AM

all will be revealed today...

GS608 · 14-04-2010, 10:08 AM

im betting coyote release

JPFS1 · 14-04-2010, 10:10 AM

don't think so ;)

fg_nitro · 14-04-2010, 10:10 AM

Sweet as. Should I book some time with the Bank Manager ? :thebirds:

R-Design · 14-04-2010, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPFS1

all will be revealed today...

I can't wait, just tell us now!

Don't tell me it's 2012 already!

JPFS1 · 14-04-2010, 10:13 AM

You guys are lucky, they're covering it live...

I'll get the video link for you all..

fg_nitro · 14-04-2010, 10:14 AM

Please do !

JPFS1 · 14-04-2010, 10:15 AM

live coverage

**Polyal** · 14-04-2010, 10:31 AM

crap its frustrating reading that thing.....diesel blocks made in geelong..WTF (edit no it was some random).

Deal with Bosch?

Meh ill wait for the official release..LOL

Wretched · 14-04-2010, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

crap its frustrating reading that thing.....diesel blocks made in geelong..WTF.

Yeah I agree, it seems pretty weak on details.
Diesel engine is good, but just the block?

Will have to wait for more reliable info.

JMO · 14-04-2010, 10:34 AM

According to the radio, it's a cash boost from the state and federal governments.

EDIT: seems to be mentioned in the article linked to above also. Hopefully it's all good news!

fg_nitro · 14-04-2010, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fg_nitro

Sweet as. Should I book some time with the Bank Manager ? :thebirds:

No not interested in a diesel. LOL I will wait for the V8 press release.

Director · 14-04-2010, 10:47 AM

great news for Geelong, especially when it creates jobs and creates further investment, good luck to all the forum members that work there

Road_Warrior · 14-04-2010, 11:38 AM

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/...3901_news.html

Quote:

Ford announces $20m upgrade to Geelong casting plant

April 14th, 2010

BREAKING NEWS A $20 million environmental and technical upgrade to Ford%u2019s Geelong Casting Plant will increase the size of its workforce by 50 per cent and ensure vital automotive manufacturing skills remain in Australia.

The upgrade will create 50 new jobs at the plant, and secure the employment of 100 existing plant employees.

This morning's announcement will also provide piece of mind for hundreds of workers in Ford's supporting and supplier industries across Geelong.

Production work that was potentially headed to China will now take place in Geelong.

See hiow the Geelong Advertiser provided live coverage of this announcement. Click here.

Ford Australia president and chief executive officer Marin Burela made the announcement at the Geelong Casting Plant this morning and was flanked by Victorian Premier John Brumby, Federal Minister for Industry Senator Kim Carr, Geelong Mayor John Mitchell and a host of local MPs.

The Federal Government has committed $11.8m to the project while the State Government has also contributed financially. However Mr Brumby refused to say how much money the Victorian Government has chipped in.

Workers at the plant have already expressed relief that today's announcement secures their employment into the future.

The investment to ‘green’ the Geelong Casting Plant comes on top of the $230 million investment in sustainability initiatives for Falcon and Territory announced last year, part of Ford’s ten year, $1.8 billion investment in local operations and ongoing commitment to Australian manufacturing.

Mr Burela said the company was leading the industry in finding new, innovative ways to extend its business through collaboration with partners across the sector.

“Our $20 million investment is great news for local jobs, great news for the environment, great news for the automotive sector and great news for Ford Australia,” Mr Burela said in a press release.

“It keeps in Australia work that could otherwise have gone to Chinese manufacturers, which is a fantastic testament to the skills and productivity of our workforce.

“It is vital that automotive manufacturing skills remain in Australia for the viability and strength of the entire sector, and we’re very pleased the Australian and Victorian Governments have recognised this through their support.”

Under an agreement with global components supplier Bosch the upgraded plant will be a centre of excellence for brake rotor casting.

The plant will manufacture around 1 million brake components annually for Bosch Chassis Systems Australia.

The plant will also manufacture engine blocks for Ford’s new Euro IV compliant I6 petrol engine for FG Falcon and the new Territory diesel and petrol variants.

“Our I6 engine continues to be the cornerstone of our success in Australia and its evolution over the last 50 years is testament to the engineering ingenuity we have at Ford Australia,” Mr Burela said.

“Its upgrade to Euro IV emissions standards proves that it is possible to enjoy the benefits of a large car along with improved fuel economy and reduced emissions.”

The casting plant upgrade will benefit the environment through:

• An electricity efficiency gain of more than 5,100 kW hours a day, obtained by reducing furnace idle times;

• Increased use of recycled stormwater to 77,000 litres a week, or 3.7 million litres a year – around 20 per cent of all water used at the Plant will be from recycled stormwater, up from the current 5 per cent;

• Increased use of recycled shredded metal, increasing from 32 per cent to 70 per cent – 67 tonnes of metal a day will be recycled, or almost 15,000 tonnes a year; and

• Sand reclamation to increase to almost 100 per cent by selling around 138 tonnes of surplus sand each week for cement production, reducing sand landfill requirements to zero.

The Casting Plant upgrade will be undertaken continuously over the next 36 months.

Casting of the diesel engine blocks is a little left field - wasn't expecting that one. But was there ever a threat that the I6 would be cast offshore?? That's what I'm reading into it...

bobthebilda · 14-04-2010, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMO

According to the radio, it's a cash boost from the state and federal governments.

EDIT: seems to be mentioned in the article linked to above also. Hopefully it's all good news!

You right JMO, no cash input from Ford what so ever. And as the article said

The Casting Plant upgrade will be undertaken continuously over the next 36 months.

The Robert Bosch work will just be taken from one Foundry to another. No net gain in jobs, just a relocation.

BLUEYBA · 14-04-2010, 11:44 AM

lets not be too negative about this. I guess these jobs could have gone overseas, so at least they are staying here and hopefully create more in the future

Joe5619 · 14-04-2010, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobthebilda

You right JMO, no cash input from Ford what so ever. And as the article said

The Casting Plant upgrade will be undertaken continuously over the next 36 months.

The Robert Bosch work will just be taken from one Foundry to another. No net gain in jobs, just a relocation.

Why must you be so negaitve!!! This is good news, yet you still want to find bad points in it!!!

Fill that other half of the glass with some whiskey or something like that.. This way everything will be happy!!!

**Polyal** · 14-04-2010, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe5619

Why must you be so negaitve!!! This is good news, yet you still want to find bad points in it!!!

Fill that other half of the glass with some whiskey or something like that.. This way everything will be happy!!!

Too true. There is nothing but good news here

:

gcg2503 · 14-04-2010, 12:08 PM

The eagle has landed and the fat man walks alone...

SB076 · 14-04-2010, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobthebilda

You right JMO, no cash input from Ford what so ever. And as the article said

The Casting Plant upgrade will be undertaken continuously over the next 36 months.

The Robert Bosch work will just be taken from one Foundry to another. No net gain in jobs, just a relocation.

Did you miss this???

Quote:

The investment to ‘green’ the Geelong Casting Plant comes on top of the $230 million investment in sustainability initiatives for Falcon and Territory announced last year, part of Ford’s ten year, $1.8 billion investment in local operations and ongoing commitment to Australian manufacturing.

Dauphin · 14-04-2010, 02:41 PM

Damn, I thought the Fairlane was returning. :(

Romulus · 14-04-2010, 06:18 PM

What's the cost to the tax payer to employ 50 new staff, and retain the existing 100 employees at the plant?

Road_Warrior · 14-04-2010, 06:40 PM

$11.8 Million :-P

GTP-03 · 14-04-2010, 09:15 PM

Its all good news considering this 14 months ago, we werent even sure there was going to be an engine plant at Broad meadows at all

Iggypoppin' · 14-04-2010, 09:59 PM

Jeez bob, world came to an end for you when you read the news just then eh?

I for one see no problem at all in ford investing in JOBS and a FUTURE for the Australian market. Small cost to the taxpayer but you gotta spend money to make money, and 50 new jobs is a good boost for ford and the economy.

I can't believe anyone on this FORDFORUM(we all love fords or we wouldn't be on here) would be negative about this?? The media is bad enough why do we have to bring ford down as well?

My 2c on the matter.

Paxton · 14-04-2010, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTP-03

Its all good news considering this 14 months ago, we werent even sure there was going to be an engine plant at Broad meadows at all

There is no engine plant at Broadmeadows.

The engines are made in Geelong, where the panels are stamped, and many parts are cast.

Not to rain on the parade of great news. Ford have pulled a swift one here, especially when I was under the impression the Engine Plant and Casting plants were up for sale.

Bucknaked · 14-04-2010, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iggypoppin'

I can't believe anyone on this FORDFORUM(we all love fords or we wouldn't be on here) would be negative about this??

I wouldn't expect anything less from ford fans. Seen how many threads there are on the support ford fans show models like the AU. So yes, ford fans are very supportive of their own brand.

stang65 · 14-04-2010, 11:01 PM

No offense Bob but I seem to recall your negative remarks in other threads, do you have blue blood or are we just misinterpreting your posts. Please don`t find this offensive but do you drive a ford?